Rare 'devil bird' spotted on Midcoast, Maine Audubon asks public for pictures
SOMERVILLE (WGME) –Another rare bird is making the rounds in Maine.
A Southern waterbird known as the anhinga, or “devil bird,” was spotted in Somerville.
It’s also called a "snake bird" because of its long neck.
The Maine Audubon says news spread about the bird on Facebook and it was spotted in Somerville, which is in the Midcoast area.
Maine Audubon says the anhinga was found in a flooded meadow along the side of a quiet road and that it attracted a few dozen people.
Anhingas are native to the Southern states, Mexico, and parts of South America. The name anhinga comes from the Tupi Indians in Brazil, meaning "devil bird" or "evil spirit of the woods," according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The Maine Audubon says they're expanding north and this bird may have wandered a little farther than the rest.
"The fun thing to think about this time of year, fall migration is already upon us,” Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox said. “A bunch of birds are already starting to head south for the winter, so that usually means this tends to be what we call our rarity season, when it seems like just about anything can show up anytime, anywhere."
Maine Audubon says this particular "snake bird" is young and probably not trying to nest, but it will likely make another visit to the area.
If you think you saw it, snap a picture and send it to Naturalist@MaineAudubon.org.
